[en] This paper presents a research study performed lock gates. It concerns the downstream lock gates of the one of the four new locks planned within the framework of the “Seine-Escaut Est (SEE)” project in the Walloon Region of Belgium. At the stage of the basic preliminary design, it was decided to use four identical gates, all suspended and manoeuvred by lateral movement. On this basis, the present work tackles with different aspects of the lock gate study. The aim is double: on one hand, to advance in the study of the solution of the four downstream lock gates of the SEE project, and the other hand, to concentrate more particularly on the lock gate analysis, among which their design, optimization and structural behavior in the case of ship impact.

We began with the design and optimization of the gate. This work was realized with the LBR5 lock gate optimization software, according to a method comparing a representative number of optimized solutions considering at the same time the cost and weight aspects of the structure. This method leaded to an optimized solution of the downstream gate on which further studies are concentrated. Indeed this optimized gate was modeled with the non linear finite elements software FINELG. This program was used to conduct a non linear numerical analysis of the effect of a boat impact on the downstream gate. Several analyses were performed that allowed us to discuss on the influence of the stiffener dimensions and the influence of the impact zone on the gate structural behavior submitted to the impact. Two different behaviors have been brought to light, a ductile one and a fragile one. The results of the numerical analysis with finite elements have underlined the importance of the development of a global plastic mechanism with the purpose of dissipating a large amount of energy. Finally, we have used an analytical model to calculate the gate theoretical strength in a case of a ship impact, and to compare this value with the FEM numerical analysis results.